French born Senegalese Industrial and product designer, Bibi Seck, of Birsel + Seck discusses with Smart Monkey Tv on what type of design Africa needs. He mentions a number of works they have done including the previously featured M’afrique collection for Moroso. His talk touches several subjects, from African designers thinking outside the box (an obvious need), to the need for problem solving designs and our designs reflecting our soul (my favorite part). He made reference to the recyclable plastic coffee tables they made in Senegal, using it as a cue as to how design can solve a problem; and in this case, the problem of used plastics. Talking about industrial design, Bibi Seck feels like Africa, at least Senegal, is not ripe for Industrial Design, of course he gave his reasons, but I beg to differ.
One of my favorite parts of this talk was when he mentioned that our designs should reflect our soul. I think this is one thing that is missing in our Architecture, at least in Nigeria. Personally, I see Architecture as a work of art, one that should have the signature of the artist/designer. If I see a building designed by an architect, let’s say her name is Awosika, I should recognize it instantly that this looks like Awosika’s works. The only way to achieve this as an architect, is to design with your soul as an artist paints with his soul. What are your thoughts on the video?
